Page 44 of The Guardian's Bride
“Not yet. I went there to stand in for Fife, but not all of us could gather, with some too far away, others captured—Edward has the bishops of Glasgow and Saint Andrews now.” Aedan shook his head. “Sir Malise Comyn was one of the signees on the king’s letter refuting our latest attempt to regain the women.”
“Has he recovered? He had quite an injury, I heard.”
“Bit of a limp now, but smug as ever. A nun took him down, but it did not knock the arrogance out of him, I know that.” He sighed, thinking of what Rowena had said.
“I had heard something about a nun!” Brian chuckled. “And your niece needs you there during these discussions. Your voice may help.”
“I am doing all I can. But Edward is as inflexible as ever. He seems satisfied that he is doing enough simply by replying to us.”
“You do not hold out hope, then.”
“Not much. Lady Mary Bruce is coping, but they say Isabella is ill. The council has requested a physician, and Edward must comply or risk a reprimand from the Pope. Bruce is still excommunicated for killing John Comyn before he took the throne, so he cannot appeal directly to Rome in this situation. And naught will change Edward’s heart of stone.”
“He has little honor left, though I hear he was different in earlier years. Showed more mercy, had a sense of fairness and courtesy. My father remembered him as a better man. But this fervor to rule Scotland has brought out the worst in him.”
“The need to force Scotland into subservience is like a poison in him.” That irony did not escape him, considering Rowena’s situation.
“What charges put you in Yester? Treason for escorting Isabella to Scone and taking part in the crowning of Bruce?”
“That, and being a MacDuff.”
“I wonder what Malise Comyn has to do with this. He is Edward’s man, but he is also kin to the Abernethys in Fife, who took down your brother. The attackers were exiled, one of them executed, so it could be that.”
“Such grudges do not go away easily. But I need to look the other way. There are more important matters than revenge.”
“True. But you should know that Sir Peter Abernethy, the attacker’s son, is back in Scotland. Just be careful, Aedan. Malise Comyn and Peter are cousins.”
“I am always wary, lad. We all must be these days.”
Brian sat up as two maidservants entered the hall carrying trays of food. “Supper is ready. The ladies will come in soon. I must ask—how is it you are with the Keith girl?”
“She was brought to Yester on charges of treason as well. And she is the very healer who helped me months ago at Holyoak. I did not expect to see her again. We have much in common, asit happens.” He shrugged to make light of it, though it meant much. “When I left, I took her with me.”
“Why would the English arrest a Scottish healing woman?”
“She is accused of poisoning King Edward. She had occasion to give him some remedies. It did not go well.”
Brian frowned. “Did she do it on purpose?”
“I would have, and you might. But that lass would not hurt a flea. My guess is someone arranged her fall. She is a great-granddaughter of Thomas the Rhymer, you see. Edward is likely drooling over that.”
“The Rhymer! Is she the Keith girl you were once betrothed to?”
“Almost betrothed. Aye, the same. As I said, much in common.”
“Curious! Would you marry again, Aedan?”
“Someday, perhaps. Not yet.”
“Indeed, you have much on your mind and your shoulders. How is your lad?”
“Good, last I saw him, a few months past.” He leaned forward. “I must get to Fife, but I dare not hire a boat to cross the firth nor go by land, in case of pursuit.”
“If you want a boat, take my longship and my captain after we reach the Rock.”
“I appreciate that. You do not need it?”
“We use longships often here along the east coast, as you know, especially useful as we go back and forth often to the Bass Rock. I have two ships, and one is yours if you need it. I may go with you to Dunfermline, as we often fetch supplies there.”
